In 2007…

On August 24th, the Pawtucket Red Sox brought the Counting Crows, Collective Soul and Live to kick off this year’s Arts Festival at McCoy Stadium. Two days later, the City’s Riverfront Concert Series presented Vini Ames & Sh-Bop at Veteran Memorial Amphitheater. On August 28th, a workshop was held, featuring the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, the Pawtucket Foundation and Streitfeld, Aaronson, Lavoie and Diaz & Co., to talk about “the business of art.” On Sept 5th, the Gamm Theater presented a sneak preview of Bernard Pomerance’s Tony Award-winning play, “The Elephant Man.” One hundred and thirty free tickets were made available to person interested in attending the play.

On Sept.7th, over 2,000 people came to the festival gala, held at Slater Mill Historic Site, to dine on the food donated by 30 area restaurants and stores. The evening’s entertainment included performances of a well-known local Irish Band, The Gnomes, and C.J. Chenier and the Red Hot Louisiana Band. At this event, a 23 foot sculpture at the Slater Mill site, was unveiled, loaned to the Pawtucket Arts Festival by Rhode Island Artist, Donald Gerola.

Also at the Pawtucket Library there was the “Youth Art Exhibit”, featuring student art projects from local public, private high schools and from members of the Pawtucket’s Boys and Girls Club. The YMCA organized its “Family Fun Night” that evening at the parking lot at the City’s Visitor Center and drew hundreds of children and their parents who participated in arts and crafts and watched a Disney movie.

On Sept. 9th, almost 15,000 spectators attended the City’s 8th Annual Rhode Island Chinese Dragonboat Festival to watch 36 competing teams race in a 45-foot brightly colored dragon boat and to learn more about Chinese Folk Art and Dance. Local Chinese groups provided funding to offer demonstrations in traditional Chinese craft, and musical and dance performances. Also, in downtown Pawtucket and in the Barton Street neighborhood, Machine with Magnets, the Grant, and the Barton Street Neighborhood Association offered music, craft fairs and art demonstrations.

On Sept. 9th, the Slater Mill Family Fun Fest, brought together food, arts and crafts, music and face painting. Entertainment included a musical performance by Slippery Sneakers Zydeco Band and a performance of “The Little Mermaid” by All Children’s Theater. Local Artist Sandra Solomon created a table art for the Pawtucket Public Library.

Also on this afternoon at the historic Pawtucket Armory Jump and Cadence Collaborative Dance Companies performed. A walking tour of Historic Downtown was organized by the Pawtucket Preservation Society to take a look at the historic properties. CACD also held a block party to feature Cape Verdean music and art. Also, Marty Swiatek & RBO layed at the Veterans’ Memorial Amphitheater. Finally, free introductory classes in Swing, Tango and Salsa Rueda were offered by Providence Tango.

During the first weekend, on Sept. 8th and Sept. 9th, local Realty company, RICIR, organized and sponsored the “Open Studio” tour which included over 80 artist studios in mills throughout the City. This self-guided tour allowed the public to discover Pawtucket’s artist studios in mills. Maps were available at the City’s Visitor Center.

On Sept. 14th, Hope Artist Village held its 2nd Annual Open House, featuring live music and one-of-a-kind art work in its galleries.

In the evening, the Rhode Island Philharmonic Pops Orchestra drew over 8,000 people into Slater Memorial Park on Sept. 15th, opened by the Street Corner Serenade. After the concert, spectators watched a dazzling fireworks display. During the afternoon at the Stone Soup Folk Fest, also at this park, attendees could shop to purchase one-of-a-kind art work from over 80 artist vendors. Pawtucket-based Dew Claw Studio gave Raku demonstrations to teach Japanese techniques of raku firing. Along with shopping, the attendees could sit and listen to a first-class lineup of musicians including Dave Rowe Trio, Magnolia Cajun Band, and Santa Mamba. On Sept. 16th, musicians at the Stone Soup Folk Fest also included Minor Swing, Jerimoth Hill and Forever Young, a Neil Young Tribute Band.

Also, on Sept. 16th, the winners of the 2007 Photo Contest Winners, sponsored by The Camera Werks and the City of Pawtucket, were announced at the City’s Visitor Center. The Rhode Island Watercolor Society also featured their 14th National Watermedia Competition attracting exceptional artists from around the US.

This year, Mirror Image sponsored its 9th Annual Pawtucket Film Festival with the Rhode Island Film Collaborative. At the six-night film festival, both short and feature length films, were shown. Filmmakers were present at the nightly events and answered questions from the audience. Local musicians also played before the screening of the films.